The Penn's Grove record., 1887-03-12


ed his theological horizon, yet his siu
cerity and earuestness led his bes
friends tO believe that scaling Noun
Zion 10 greater heights and purer airs
he then would'give the gospel trumphe
no uncertaiu sound. This thank Go,
was happily realized. Tender, sociable
bright and useful, his memory will lin
ger sweetly upon the minds and heart
OF many as that Of Summerield, OF j
A. Jones and 5. Z. White who weIt
like him cut down in the morning o
life ere the dew of youth had passed
away from the opening flowers"
Mr. John sykes writes as follows Of
his ministry at Hamilton square
REV. Gildon Elvin was sent to Hamil,
ton Square, AS a supply, in the spring
of 1881 under the direction OF PreSid
ing Elder Schock. His appearance in
the place called forth considerable com
ment owing to the immaturity of his
apl earance. lie, however, soon con-
WINGED his congregation and the com
munity that while he was young and
immature in appearance. yet he was a
man in every sense of the word. He
was alive to the dignity and synih-
canoe of his calling. One of the tirst
lessons which his life imported
to the people of this place was that life
was real and earnest and that his sue
cess in the matter of making himself q
man qualified to do the work oil the mas
ter in the saving of souls depended
largely upon his determined efforts IN
individual preparation.
In the fall of the said year he was
married to Miss Fannie Magee, daugh-
ter of John and Mary Magee, of Black
woOdtown. For a number of mouths
after which he and wife went to keep
ing house and while they had not all
the luxuries of life they had d good
deal of happiness and comfort and
Elvin kept up his spirits well and work.
ed away faithfully at his aTduous Ia
bOrs. In the spring of 1882 he was
returned to his charge. II was also
while at Hamilton Square his little
girl was born. Tue little vas
sick for a long tine but by the care
of its mother and nurse it was brought
about new to be a strong and healthy
child.
As a preacher he had the facility of
being master of his situation. His SER
mons were full OF original thought and
reason He did not allow his sermons
to be moulded and fashioned by the
notions of the people OF III other words
he did his own thinking and preached
the unallowed gospel. His discourses
we're eloquent and characterized by a
remarkable degree of earnestneSs.
The aim of his life was to elevate
mankind and in order to do this he
declared the whole truth withOIt tear
and without taking into consideration
the likes and dislikes of his hearers.
His prayers were always directed from
an humble standpoint. As a pastor
he was always welcome to the homes
of his membership and friends which
continued to increase as long as he
remained with us. He never seemed
to understand that he was called upon
to visit his friends and members of
his church with a long face or discon-
ISOLATE look but on the t ntrary he was
always good nature,i nd full of life
making others glad with whom he
came in contact. Elvin was a man
who strongly appreciated a friend. In
his visiting among his friends he want
ed to be received without any undue
ceremony. If he called on a black
smith he not unfrequently went to
the anvil and good IA medly would
SAY he wanted to show he blacksmith
how to get a move OF aim or some
think to that affect. II he called on
a farmer, he would want to be with
him in the field at work and he has
been known to follow the farmer in
the field while blowing for hours at a
time. He claimed that while thus be-
ing engaged he received many of his
best thoughts for the pulpit. The
field of nature was a great source of
inspiration for him. If he came in
contact with the learned. He was as
abundantly able to take care of him
self their as in the blacksmith shop or
farm.
While with us he took a great deal of
pains in having a nice garden and
when he succeeded in raising anything
that was very nice he took very good
care that his competitors in that line
knew all about it and that they
would have to improve consider ably
before they could begin to farm
with him. In some way he man
aged to get his name used in an
agricultural paper Ms recommending a
certain kind of fertilizer and that af-
{ orded him considerable amusement
and his contention after that was that
no ordinary gardiner need attempt to
garden against him.
He was a good citizen, full of patriot
ism and public spirit. He took an
active part in all public doings and
very frequently made addresses on such
occasions. He held sacred the right
of voting and i'll the exercise of that
power he allowed no mai to dictate To
him or any party to hold any rein over
him. He was decided on the question
IF prohibition. Gildon Elvin was "A
good friend and neighboT a faithful
husband and loving father. He
thought much of his little girl and it
WdS ilS utliSbb w tdlh dDput iFls Ilt
left Hamilton Square church in coed
condition with many friends. The
news of his death came to us with
surprise and sorrow and / voice the
sentiment of this people in this tribute
of respect and hope his memory will
still live to command those of us who
survives him to strive to live better
and be better men. All of which
| submit as n tribute of respect to my
most intimate friends"
In the spring of 1883 he was admit
ted to the Conference on trial and sta
toned at Windsor, Mercer county.
Mr.. d. Nj. Brown, II steward of that
charge writes as follows of his minis
terry there: "While here, the church
p~rospered materially and in its spiritual
affairs. The church property vas put
into thorough repair. The seats IN the
upper room were cushioned, and The
basement made more suitable for meet
ings to be held the e. His manner
and methods in the work of tn pulnit
were more than ordinary acceptable
to the people. and he attracted full au-
diences to the regular Sunday service.
The cOufprpueP collections were lDOl{pl